Today is a tough day for me. My mommy is having
knee surgery in a land far far away, and I'm stuck behind my desk. Also, Krissy and Jen are together for the next 24 hours or so, and again, I'm stuck behind my desk. I would rather be in either location. I'm a sad girl!

Emilie is my hero! Yesterday she taught me that Ann
Taylor Loft (ATL for those of us on a first name basis) now has a maternity line. It is super expensive, but I'm hoping they come out with a few good basic work pieces. All I want is a simple maternity suit, but I'm not sure when that will happen. Yes, I haven't gained any actual weight with the baby, but believe me when I tell you that what I've got has shifted and I've got a nice little bump going on. It literally all
happened last week. My clothes fit and then they didn't-I justdidn't understand what happened! Amy gave me some stuff this weekend, so I have to weed through it and find what I still need to get. I'm going through the in between weeks, where my stuff is too snug (for the most part)
and maternity stuff is falling down. Thank goodness for the fat clothes I saved a few years ago for just this
reason. Plus, I'm only working four day weeks, so I really can get by with a limited clothes rotation right now. I did say goodbye to my jeans this weekendthough. It was a sad day :(

What else is new...we still don't have cable. It is
tough, but watching Taylor scream at the cable company on Saturday morning was really more entertaining than a week of prime time summer television. It was the greatest!

Work is annoying right now. I'm not in the mood and everything and most everyone bugs me right now. Oh well. Part of my job this week has been researching the "beertruck". You can't really
complain about your job when it is tracking down the adult version of an ice cream truck :) I wish it was the Del's truck instead.

I finally started loading my music onto my iPod last night. I had moved a bunch of Taylor's things, and our community property music over, but now I've got NKOTB and some good, old school country, so I feel a little like me. Unfortunately my work computer is so old it doesn't have a flash drive, so I have to listen through headphones. Hey-if they can't give me what I consider basic technology, they can come to the door if they want me instead of yelling down the hall! Anything for a little Joey and Hanging Tough in the middle of the afternoon!

well, we did it! we found a place to go and we moved. I wouldn't go as far as to say life is good, but life is at least all back under one roof and is slowly finding its way out of boxes. No harassment about not blogging-we don't have real Internet at the apartment yet (just "borrowed" from a neighbor), but I'll try to write at work when there is a chance.

Things are fine with us. I start my summer schedule tomorrow, which means Friday's off! I'm super excited and I'm looking forward to sleeping late tomorrow. We don't have cable yet, so no Dawson's Creek, but I have found out where the library is, so I think I'm going to wander off and find a book to enjoy. Yes, I have serious unpacking to do, but I feel like surviving the last two weeks has earned me a bit of a break, don't you?

Just got back from the doctor's office. Turns out pregnancy is the best diet I've ever been on. Somehow, and believe me, it wasn't intentional, I've lost another pound. I'm in month four and have lost weight total! The doctor told me I'm not eating enough or often enough. You don't have to tell the fat girl that twice! I'm counting down the minutes to lunch as we speak! Otherwise, the kiddo is doing well, except her mom is under too much stress and needs to relax for every one's sake. Ever notice how when someone tells you that you are under too much stress and tells you to relax it stresses you more? I hate people sometimes!

We Have An Apartment! We aren't going to be homeless!

Tiki's on the Today Show! He is talking about kids vitamins, so I could care, but he is so cute! I love this guys!!!!

Okay-so update--we're closing on Tuesday. We didn't get the lake house and so we don't have anyplace to go. I'm home today looking for apartments and packing up. Wish us luck-we know we'll be okay, so don't worry, but it is a going to be a long couple of days.

Apocalypto is the most violent movie I've ever seen!

Taylor was hogging the computer during the finale of American Idol. You don't know it blog readers, but you missed out of some very hysterical reading! The material they were providing for a live blog would have been great-but he had to play his silly pirate game online. Oh well, it is better than VMK (right Emilie!).

Speaking of live blogs, there was no Internet access at the golf course on Wednesday. I was more sad than you, believe me. The day went well and was very successful. I spent most of my day riding around on a golf cart providing water and bag lunches to the players. It was a good day overall. You would think a day in the sun might have given me some color, but I'm still nearly transparent. I need a few hours in the sun with a good book!

This weekend isn't a time for sun worshipping sadly. I'm packing like a mad woman! The spare bedroom is totally packed and is about to become the land of a million boxes. The living room is in good shape too. I've got most of the linens in the bathroom packed and really just need to tackle the clothes in the bedroom. We've got to pack summer and work clothes to get us through the summer in one place, and everything else in another. My best guess on how to do this is to pack summer stuff into big plastic containers and suitcases,and then use the empty drawer space for items from the closet that are going to storage. I bring a whole new wrinkle to the plan with my expanding belly. Most of my clothes won't fit in about two weeks. Most of my shorts already don't fit, which was a tough development yesterday morning. Like every other woman in New England, I put on 5-7 pounds every winter while inside watching football and hiding from the snow. We all lose this weight in the springtime when we're running around outside, gardening, and enjoying the nice weather. This spring, the 5-7 pounds didn't get to come off, so my normal shorts are snug already! I was definitely bummed to find this out yesterday, but I'm still well within my weight range for this stage of the game. I'll be interested to see how much weight I've gained with the little munchkin when I go to the doctors next week. I had lost weight last time I was there, but think I might be showing a little bit already, so it is really any mans guess.

This is my packing break. Taylor is snoozing on the couch and I don't want to wake him by dragging more empty boxes up the stairs. I'm running the move like I used to run my old golf tournament. I'm in charge, I like to do all of the planning and organization myself, then have people come in and help execute my plan. There is a clip board involved, index cards, sharpie markers, and a detailed time line. I love this kind of thing-this level of organization is what I'm cut out to do in life! Luckily, after years of helping me carry things at the golf tournament, Taylor understands and recognizes the beauty of my plans and basically stays out of the way and lets me do my thing. It takes a strong man to be married to a control freak at the level I am at and to handle it and me with grace. It also takes the occasional nap :)

I'm watching the NBA lottery right now. Given all the time in the world, I wouldn't have guessed that this is what I would be doing tonight. I hate the NBA, but I love a good lottery and a good draft! Go Celtics, I guess.

I'm flipping to American Idol. I picked Jordin for the winner when she made it to the top 12, which I didn't think she would ever do. She isn't great, but she is certainly better than beat box Blake! Plus, right now she is singing Martina and I love Martina! Oh, but her hair is caught on her lip gloss! Whatever, she's living my dream, so I shouldn't judge...

I'm doing a golf marathon tomorrow. Dear lord I'm ready to be done with golf. I'm taking my laptop and if there is wireless, I'll be blogging from my assigned location on the deck. I'm playing the role of concierge. Just call if you would like a warm towel!

What the hell is Randy wearing? Are you kidding me? Randy, Michael Jackson circa 1992 called and he wants his jacket back!

Evil Stephano is still alive? Or is that Tony something or other?

Amy Fisher and Joey B are getting their own reality tv show. You should know that I once had a real obsession with these two in high school. My best friend Jodi and I made the Amy Fisher Memorial Bridge out of toothpicks for a high school assignment. We had real problems, but I guarantee that I'll be glued to this show!

I've gotta go make the bed. Lizzie threw up on it this morning--while I was in it. Gross! If I wasn't already queasy this morning, that would have done it!

Hi Friends-

I'm a delinquent blogger. Things have been hectic. We signed the papers on the house on Monday. We've been looking around for a summer rental and have decided that it would be cool to rent a lake house if we have to rent anyway. We found two to go look at this weekend, so that will be cool.

Work is nutty, so there likely won't be many from work posts, unless I'm having one of those moments when it feels like the world is spinning away. If that is the case, expect lots of posts!

It is pouring here right now-like build an ark pouring. I'm glad I'm inside.
Yes, I'm home early. We had a plumber and an electrician here today to do work on the house. Luckily the electrician is a friend, because all of the things I dragged him to the house to fix weren't really broken...

I balled my eyes out last night at the series finale of the Gilmore Girls. Taylor thought I was losing my mind. And, to be honest, I felt that way too. I don't even really watch Gilmore Girls, though have seen plenty of episodes through the years, but it was the end of an era and so I was sad. Sue me for being a sap!

I wonder what to make for dinner...trying to clean out the freezer right now...moving is Hell!

WEEKEND UPDATE:

Friday: we received two offers to buy our house! let the bidding war begin!
Saturday: I graduated. It was a lovely day and we were joined by Taylor's Dad and Ross for the festivities. I was 40 minutes late to line up and almost missed the processional, but all was well that ended well. The bidding war continues!
Sunday: Happy Mother's Day! We got two new and higher offers on the house and began the great debate-money versus stability of buyers. Dinner with Taylor's "School Wife" Sarah who is off to Chicago. Ironically, we ate at Uno's Chicago Bar and Grille!
Monday: We accepted the higher offer on our house. We have to be out in two weeks! Anyone know someone in the area who is looking to sublet an apartment for the summer? We come with two cats, which makes things a little difficult, but we're sure we'll find someplace to go!

So, all is well. We're a little stressed, but nothing we can't handle. I'll be packing non-stop for the next two weeks if you need me!

Janel Maloney is getting a new show! She's going to be on Brotherhood, a show that takes place outside Providence airing on Showtime. I think seeing the news article and photo about it counts as part of the cycle. Jeniffer? A ruling?

We had an offer put in on the house this morning. We haven't talked to our real estate yet, so we don't know if it is good or not really. I'll keep you all in the loop!

It turns out the flowers my coworker got were for Mother's Day. 20 long-stem red roses sent to work in honor of Mother's Day. You can tell that she is the mother of four!

Just got to work, and an off campus appt. this morning. It is beautiful out, but it is going to be muggy this afternoon. My building doesn't have central air, as it was built in 1778 or something like that, and my window unit isn't in yet. I fear as the sun comes around the building it is going to get HOT! I might have to use my mom's theory of closing the blinds and windows to keep the heat out. What a great problem to have! A month ago, I was still using my portable heater.

I have a meeting in 12 minutes. I could do work, but I thought I would blog instead :) I'm a naughty worker!

Have you talked to me in person in the last two weeks or so? If you haven't, you need to call the house so I can catch up with you. I think I've talked to all of my loyal blog readers, but I miss you all and want to make sure we've all touched base recently. So, Call Me!

Commencement is this weekend. What an utter waste of time. Poor Ross is being dragged up so Taylor doesn't have to sit alone. I still don't know why I'm bothering to go, especially a year out, but I'm committed and I even have my cap and gown now, so I guess I'm in. At least this year it should be sunny instead of raining like the last few.

I was recently thinking about the vast difference between graduating College and Grad School. Leaving college is so bittersweet. You say goodbye to your friends, your home, the place that you've grown up. You're sad--especially if you're a girl. Finishing graduate school is sheer joy. Nothing to be sad about. You make more money in your pocket (no more books or classes), you make more in your pay check, and you get your life back. It is all positive!

Someone in my office just got the most beautiful flowers from her husband. What's that about? Flowers on a random Wednesday? He must have done something wrong...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stockard Channing--check off another one! Also, Ed or Larry was on Grey's the other night.

Taylor's watching the GOP Presidential Candidates Debate right now. It is a riot-there are about 12 people debating, and it is hysterical. Most of the people can't even be identified, even by my geeky husband.

We had our open house today. We had five families come through in an hour, so that is a win. Poor Grace is sick, so having the stress and drama of all of this going on hasn't been good for her.

Oh! Mitt Romney, the flying Mormon! Massachusetts is happy to see you run for president, mostly just because it means you're off Beacon Hill!

So we didn't do anything this weekend at all except clean. The house is pretty spotless right now. We've got flowers all around, we even staged the porch so it looked like we were having a dinner party. It was cute. Cross your fingers to hope one of these people wants to buy the house, I hate being this neat!

Rick's, our local ice cream place, opened this weekend. Now this is a little hole in the wall place that you go for a burger and a shake, but for some reason are proudly hyping that they have free wi-fi. Why on earth would you bring your computer to a place like this? The few picnic tables they have are always sticky and gross. It really is about the last place on the planet you would worry about checking your email, but I suppose if you want to, you now have that option. I'm going to try to convince Taylor we should walk down there later today and get a baby ice cream cone. Yum! Maybe he'll come if I tell him he can bring his laptop...

I'm rocking out in my office to Disney music this afternoon. Taylor, can we go back? Please? We've already got passes...Mickey misses me...

Holy draft weekend. I can't believe the Patriots got a pair of thugs. First, Randy Moss. That just is just an ass. And then, their first round pick is a face stomper! He literally likes to stomp on guys faces with his cleats on. I'm not down with Meriweather. He better get her and be a superstar on and off the field.

My car died on me last night on the way home. It literally just turned off as I was driving down the road going about 60. It looks like it is just a $50 censor. Turns out Opi is a good car after all.
This, unfortunately, means I have to come to work early, as I have to take Taylor and drop him off, then come to my own job. It isn't fun, but he is an all-star for helping me out and sharing his car with me and changing his plans multiple nights in a row just to help me out. Thanks T!

48 hours until the draft baby!

we're having a mini-family reunion in RI to watch. We've got snacks, we're ordering pizza, there will be Del's...life will be good!

All new Grey's tonight-and the one I've been waiting for! YAHOO!

Congrats Julie and welcome to the AMC family! I hate you for your flat screen monitor, but I'm happy to have you back in my world every day :)

The buyers backed out of our house last night. I don't really feel like getting into all the details, but basically they freaked out over a bunch of little things that came up in the inspection and instead of waiting for us to fix them, they've backed out of the deal. We're both pretty bummed out. We're putting the house back on the market tomorrow, once all the paperwork for the removal of their deposit goes through.

I don't really feel like talking about it to be honest. we're fine and we'll be fine, it is just very crummy and I feel like moping about it a bit for the day. Hope your day is better than ours.

Yes, my Yankees got swept by the Red Sox. Congratulations on winning three games in May. I hope these warm fuzzy feelings keep all of you Sox fans warm on those cold, lonely, October nights when you're watching the Yankees win the division and take on the playoffs!

Busy weekend! Friday night I went out with my old coworkers which was fun. Saturday was work on the house day. Taylor was super busy putting in a new automatic garage door opener while I prepped the inside for our home inspection, which is this afternoon. I worked on Saturday night. Let me tell you, it was a wild night of hanging out with the nuns and the Bishop. Sunday we had Taylor's parents up for lunch and then we went looking at houses. We got home last night around 8:30, signed a bunch of papers, then went back to finishing up the house for today's inspection. I'm already ready for next weekend!

I had the crummy part of inspection prep. I had to remove every item from the inside of my closet so the guy can get up into the crawlspace. My clothes are currently strewn all around the house! I've got a bunch in Taylor's closet, some in the hall closet, some packed (still on the hanger so I can rehang them quickly tonight) in a variety of duffel bags tossed around the room, and the rest just thrown on the bed. I'm really not looking forward to reassembling it all tonight, but there is no way to go to sleep until I get it done!

Let's take a moment to be thankful for the weather. It is supposed to reach 85 degrees tonight! I've currently got my office windows open and I'm enjoying a nice breeze. I got my car washed on the way in today and my toes are happily free from shoes and thankful for sandals.

How sweet was Grey's last night? I got Carol from TWW on the elevator hitting on the cheif (yuck!) and Lord John Marbury was the creepy want to be chief candidate. Plus Hogan (CJ's niece from our favorite JJ-The Black Vera Wang) was in a commercial for her new movie.

Plus, Grey's was just good. I like Callie and I feel so bad for her. And I would like Addison to be in the episode for more than 10 seconds, but otherwise, I was a happy girl!

btw: I hate my job today!

Hargroves-I got Mrs. Landingham!

Nemo Two is here! A sweet little boy, Fletcher, born last night. Everyone is happy and healthy with Mom and Baby doing fine. I've got an off campus appointment this afternoon, then I'm blowing off the afternoon and heading to the hospital for a baby squeeze! Who can resist squeezing a new baby!

Nemo: The Sequel is about to be born! Amy is in the hospital in the delivery process as we speak. Everyone think positive, pain free thoughts for her.

We looked at a million houses this weekend. Okay, so it was really like a dozen houses, but it feels like more than that! It was exhausting! We saw lots of nice places, and two that I would say we are considering looking at again. Emilie told me looking at houses is fun, but I don't think I would take it quite that far! It isn't really fun after the 7th or 8th house. Hopefully we finish up looking at the other places we want to see this weekend and then can sit down and make some serious decisions about what we want to do.

Julie didn't know that Tiki Barber had a brother. He not only has a brother, he has an identical twin brother, Ronde! Ronde plays defense (I don't know what position) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ronde is also married to one of my friends cousins. I've been begging for years for her to introduce me, so he can tell Tiki about my love affair and we can walk off into the sunset together. Probably never happen, but it is nice to dream. Yes Jules, Tiki has a brother!

Drew Bledsoe is retiring. How is that the story that comes on at 6:17 on sportscenter. It just isn't right. I'm a Brady fan, but I feel awful bad for him. Drew "the Pirate" Bledsoe is good people. I've gotta go console my poor Taylor. He loves that guy. How sad :(

I feel like I should talk about baseball a little bit. It's time. Here's the thing--I like baseball, but to me it is just a filler sport. I like to watch a good Yankees/Red Sox game because it is always fun to see the Red Sox fans cry, but to sit down and watch a random game from start to finish is too much. My real problem with baseball is there are just too many games. I can't keep up with who's in first place on any given day because it changes too much. And with games being postponed due to weather and then made up or not in a system that just doesn't make that much sense, it is too hard to keep up--and I watch ESPN every morning as I get ready for work! Anyway, I hope my Yankees do well this year. I've got two sets of tickets to Red Sox games for work, so I'll be hitting Fenway a few times. At least I can get an ice cream in a plastic baseball cap and a hot dog to make the event go faster!

On a positive sports note, I heard an interview with Tiki Barber on the radio this morning. I love that guy so much! Keep in mind Taylor and I want to name our first born (regardless of sex) Tiki in tribute to Barber. I sat in my car and listened to the interview even though it made me late for work! I forgot he is doing work on the Today show. I might have to alter my morning routine to get a little Tiki loving in!

16 days until the NFL Draft!

I feel like I should talk about baseball a little bit. It's time. Here's the thing--I like baseball, but to me it is just a filler sport. I like to watch a good Yankees/Red Sox game because it is always fun to see the Red Sox fans cry, but to sit down and watch a random game from start to finish is too much. My real problem with baseball is there are just too many games. I can't keep up with who's in first place on any given day because it changes too much. And with games being postponed due to weather and then made up or not in a system that just doesn't make that much sense, it is too hard to keep up--and I watch ESPN every morning as I get ready for work! Anyway, I hope my Yankees do well this year. I've got two sets of tickets to Red Sox games for work, so I'll be hitting Fenway a few times. At least I can get an ice cream in a plastic baseball cap and a hot dog to make the event go faster!

On a positive sports note, I heard an interview with Tiki Barber on the radio this morning. I love that guy so much! Keep in mind Taylor and I want to name our first born (regardless of sex) Tiki in tribute to Barber. I sat in my car and listened to the interview even though it made me late for work! I forgot he is doing work on the Today show. I might have to alter my morning routine to get a little Tiki loving in!

16 days until the NFL Draft!

my friend Suz had her baby yesterday...he was 9 days late and weighed 9 lbs 10 oz. when he came out, he asked for a sandwich. that is a heck of a big baby. god help her!

the papers for our house are coming tonight. once we sign them, we start a whole new merry-go-round of house fun with inspections and appraisals and all that fun stuff. Things should go smoothly though and we aren't anticipating too many problems.

I'm going to a baby shower tonight for my friend Amy. This is her second and she is due at the end of next week. It should be fun because I'll see a ton of my old coworkers whom I haven't seen since December. It has the potential to be overwhelming, but I am looking forward to laughing. I didn't realize how much I enjoyed my work friends until I didn't see them every day. We used to laugh all the time and the work day sure goes faster when you're giggling around every corner! No food at this thing tonight though (well, cake I think) because they are coming from a big reception. I've gotta poke around and see what I've got in the fridge here to munch on before I go!

I love the show "How I Met Your Mother". Did any of you see it this week? Barney cracked me up with his 15 reference. It is the little moments that make that show great.

Our work email is still mostly down. I'm going crazy over here!!!!!!!!

You know what this blog needs that my wedding daily rant had? Ralphy eating paste. Taylor, want to help me out with that? He was the greatest...

Post number 150 baby! Go Team! What to talk about to make the post special...

Oh, I know! How about the fact that Taylor and I have (unofficially) sold our house! Yup! We found out Saturday that an offer was made on the house. We countered and expected them to come back with a third number, but instead they said okay! We haven't signed the official papers yet as there is some funky wording that has to be worked out, but hopefully we'll be able to do that tonight. We'll be closing on May 31st, so we've got about 7 weeks until we are homeless. Please think happy thoughts about our buyers and their financing, the quick and easy inspection on our house that will find nothing wrong, and me and Taylor finding a place that we love with sellers who want to be out by May 15th!

Oh, and Happy Easter! We ended up canceling our plans to go to Maine on Saturday. I woke up early with a nasty stomach thing. It was gross, you don't want details. We really just laid around the house the rest of the weekend since I wasn't feeling great. I didn't even end up cooking Easter dinner. Instead we rented movies and ate Chinese food. All and all, it wasn't a bad way to celebrate Easter, all be it quite different from the norm in our house. I'm so sad to be back at work today!

Happy Passover! Enjoy your Manischewitz Wine!

JJ-I got John Hoynes!

I love Good Friday! working for the Catholics has its privileges! Now I don't get nearly the same vacation I used to get, but one and a half days are more than none, so I'll take it as a win!

We've got no real plans for Easter this year. We're heading to meet my parents halfway tomorrow to meet for lunch. I can't wait to see my parents! Living far from them is one of the hardest things in the world, so even just a few hours together is a fun night.

I've got no idea what we're going to have for dinner tonight. Usually when I'm home I like to make a nice meal, but I've been kind of lazy today and just not in the mood to cook. I didn't even make the bunny cake I planned on. Keeping the house so clean all the time for showing makes the thought of cooking or baking just too difficult. Maybe I'll become reinspired once the darn house sells! I guess the people who saw the house this morning really liked it, so we'll see if they make an offer or decide something stupid like the ceilings are to low or something.

Daytime television sucks. Well, Dawson's Creek aside, there really isn't much on during the day. I've been in and out today, but I've watched some stuff and there really isn't reason to bother. I'm glad I've got laundry and cleaning to keep me busy today! Seriously, a rerun of Dharma and Greg is the best thing on right now. Terrifying!

See-I had the right winner of the NCAA tournament. I picked Tennessee to win it all. It is just a technicality that I picked the men and not the women. Go Lady Volunteers! Way to win the tournament. I told people we should have done the ladies bracket instead this year, but no takers!

So we had an offer made on our house. It was crummy, but we made a counter offer of sorts to show good faith. I doubt that we'll see anything come of this, but Taylor and I agree that it has been a good exercise for us to go through in what will happen when a real offer is made. It also has kicked our butts a little and made us start thinking a little more about looking. We've got to get busy!

Going to a hockey game tonight with Ross and Kate. I've never been to a hockey game before, so it should be interesting. I'm hoping that a puck breaks the glass somewhere (that is no where near us). Seems like it would be an interesting turnout for a hockey game.

Jenny-I got Margaret from TWW last night! She was on a really old episode of Friends. It was the "PIVOT" one where they were moving the couch up the stairs and the one where Phoebe had the police badge. She tried to arrest Margaret for putting out a cigarette on a tree. When it rains TWW, it pours! Either that, or I watch too much TV!

Good weekend. Did some yard work, great dinner with old friends, and relaxing with the boy. Late last night we got a call that someone wants to put a bid in on our house, so that is pretty major. We should hear in a day or two what they are offering and decide what to do from there. I'm starting a sign up sheet for those who want to help us move (for all the pizza and beer you can take) and for those who are willing to let us and the two kids move in until we find a new place! Something tells me that more folks are willing to carry boxes than live with the crazy Macs! I would make that choice too if possible, but I'm related to all these folks now so I'm stuck with them. Just kidding family, you know I love you!

Very frustrated at work today. I've been working for an entire day on something that isn't my job (which is a frequent occurrence) and then got in trouble for not having my job done. Anyone else see a problem with that? Oh well!

I'm starved. I had the quickest salad at lunch this afternoon and didn't even really have time to eat all of it. I'm going to scrounge around the building and see who has what to share with me! I'm going after work to get a pedicure with Amy (who dreams of seeing her toes again at 8 months pregnant) so we'll have a late dinner. Must snack!

For those who don't know what we're talking about, Jen and I like to "hit for the cycle" in terms of seeing all of the West Wingers on TV or Movies in a certain time span. I had a few good spotting's, so we're in the process of making a go for the cycle. Look for updates, even though you don't care!

JJ-I also got Martin Sheen in The Departed and Rob Lowe in the commercials for Brothers and Sisters (do commercials count?).

Congratulations to Emilie! One part down and passed! Remember, the first is the toughest, so take a few deep breathes and enjoy this! Seems like Alex should make dinner/take you out tonight! Time to CELEBRATE!!

i had something I wanted to blog about, but by time I opened the web page and logged in, I had forgotten what it was. I've got some serious short term memory issues today!

I had my Boston Reception last night for work and it went really well. I've got a happy boss, so that's what I call a win. I'm pretty beat today since I got home around midnight. I didn't come in until 10:00, but I couldn't really sleep, so it was kind of a wasted morning, unless of course you are Grace and you got lots of snuggle time on the couch with Mommy!

Rent-a-paloza 2007 is still well under way. I've listened to nothing but since this weekend. I've got to call my mom and tell her, I think it was the longest summer of her life when that was all I listened to when I was home from school. She was ready to kill me by August! I've never seen a parent so happy to send their kid back!

I'm homesick for my kittens today. I just want to go home and cuddle up. I've got a great picture of Liz as my background right now and she just looks so soft and lovable. Clearly, I'm still very tired!

okay...I've killed some time and I still can't remember what I actually wanted to blog about, so I'll be back later when it comes back into my head. What a space cadet!

It is supposed to be 70 degrees today! Yahoo! I'm just about to go get lunch and I can't wait to get outside. My work study just came in wearing shorts and a tee shirt. Now students are kind of dumb, but even still it must be a sign that spring is here!

I have an event in Boston tonight and the people I work with are acting like I've asked them to drive to the moon instead of to the city. It will take less than an hour. It is literally on the road the exit drops you on from the highway. You simply go four blocks and park. It couldn't be easier and I'm tired of the complaining. Move to Machias Maine if you never want drive in traffic. I didn't drive on the highway until I was leaving for college. There isn't a stop light for about 50 miles and multi-lane roads don't exist. Suck it up people! Carpool and then one person can drive and three others can give her a pep talk about the big bad city. Give me a break!

JJ-I'm close to hitting for the West Wing cycle and I need your help! I had Zoey on Grey's Anatomy this week. Kate Harper was in the movie Mystery Alaska and I saw someone else, but they are escaping me at this point. You seen anyone else? I say four counts as a cycle in this post wing world!

I'm watching the Food Network Unwrapped on the Food Network (one of my favorites) and Mark Summers (yes, from Double Dare) just called Paula Dean a cross between Jesus and Oprah. Are you kidding me? I adore Paula and feel privileged to see that she actually shoots her shows in her own kitchen, but a Jesus-Oprah combo? Even I think that's pushing it!

Taylor is off on his way to visit his mom and dad for the day and I'm home alone. Home alone is such a strange and rare thing. To commemorate this, I'm happily doing laundry (I had a dream that my parents were coming to visit so I had to change my sheets, so now I am washing all of my bedding today, from mattress cover to bedspread and everything in between, just in case). I took a long shower, I'm sipping coffee, and blaring Rent and singing along at the top of my lungs. Book club is this afternoon so I can visit with the girls and have yummy food. I still need to wrap my books though. Whenever someone in book club has a baby (which is often, in a year we've had five babies delivered once Amy and Suz drop theirs in the next few weeks), we have a book shower for them. We all buy cute baby books so mom can keep reading and spend time with the baby and she'll think of us and know she has lots of women thinking of her and supporting her. It is a cute tradition and today we're doubling us with two births coming. Fun stuff! Sadly, I didn't read the book at for this meeting--I took it out the library though, so that should give me some points!

Oh, it is the series of songs from Rent that we used to sing at the top of our lungs freshman year. My roommate Kayee and I each had an assigned part and would sing the same three songs over and over. Poor Erin, my sweet conservative third roommate, could have killed us. Singing about AIDS and AZT and lesbians was too much for her. What a fun memory. I should call Kayee and sing to her, but sadly it is like 2:30 am in Hawaii right now, so that probably wouldn't work. Oh well, I'll mentally send her a hello!

I've had the busiest week at work! I had a huge project dumped in my lap that absolutely 100% wasn't my job. But, five days and lots of cups of coffee it is done! I'm a happy girl!

So it is the weekend again already. One thing about working at Santa Maria is that it is so stinking busy that you don't have time to feel like the week is going slowly. As I was wrapping up with the drama of the afternoon today, I could hardly remember the drama of Monday. It is almost Easter and I don't really remember much since Thanksgiving--does time go faster as we get older? What will 60 feel like?

Speaking of Easter, this year I'm making my world famous Bunny Cake again. It has been a few years, probably since I ran the phonathon and could bake anytime and take it to my students who would eat anything on the planet. I think I'll make it anyway this year and take it in to work and tip my hand that I love to bake. At my old job it was bad that they knew that, because they make me bake a few times a month to have birthday treats. Once, in high school, my best friend at the time, Jodi, and I ate a good portion of a bunny cake I took to her house as a treat for her mom before her mom got home from work. In an effort to hide the evidence, we got some coconut and frosting and tried to make the think look natural. It didn't really work, but we had so much fun that it was well worth it. I love the silly memories that you get to have as time fades--Jo and were so close in high school, despite sharing a series of boyfriends, and though time and distance have cooled the friendship the fun memories get to stay. I'm sure we were wearing the same shirt that day too...we were too much!

I'm thinking about marching in my grad school graduation this May. I'm not really sure why, it has been almost a year since I finished classes and I already have my diploma, but for some reason I really feel like I should march. If nothing else, it gives me a chance to visit all of my Assumption friends and hang out for a day. My dear friend Linda recently got stuck with running the commencement ceremony and I would like to be there to help her survive and since I don't work there, being there to help her spot check and problem solve is the best I can do and I can certainly do that in a long black gown. Besides, it will give me a good reason to get a new outfit and some kick ass black sandals!

So it turns out that the cat food drama was caused by rat poison. This is extra dramatic for us, because we feed our cats said food and have essentially been poisoning them without knowing. They are doing fine-no symptoms at all-but I still feel like a horrible cat mom. When I heard about it, I gave them both the biggest squeezes ever. It is a rough month for pet owners as multiple friends have lost cats this month and my niece-puppy Tiller has to have surgery to have her second ACL replaced. Poor puppy! Everyone give a pet a hug tonight!

I promised my number one fan some blogging tonight. I hope you've enjoyed my random stream of consciousness. I'm going to go pretend to read my book for book club on Sunday, but more accurately I'm going to try to convince Liz it is time to take a nap with Mommy!

Scroll to the bottom of this page for a few Disney 2007 photos. I want to go back!!!!!!

I had half a snow day today! I came home (which included skidding going around a corner and landing on my neighbors lawn) and used my time wisely: I watched the Little Mermaid, baked cookies, and took a nap with a kitten. I love a snow day!

Emilie gets a gold star for the week. I wrote the world's longest blog and only got one comment. It was a little disheartening. Thanks for the comment Em!

So last night I'm at a work event with my friend Cassie. She is a sweetheart-but she's so young! Case in point: We're both big fans of the show 24. We both missed last weeks episode, but I caught this weeks, so I was catching her up. I told her how not that much seemed to have happened in the episode that we missed but Ricky Schroeder is on now. She looks at me and responds, "The guy from NYPD Blue?". Are you kidding me! She thinks that is where Ricky's from? I yelled at her, "Ricky Schroeder is from Silver Spoons", and she just looked at me with a blank stare. It was a devastating moment for me. Cassie is six years younger than me, but we're the only two people on campus who are under 30, so the six years don't normally seem like much at all. I almost cried. If I hadn't been at a work event, I would have pulled out my cell phone and called someone for some counseling!

NCAA tournament time. I've done my sheet of integrity and thought I was sure I wanted to pick Florida (yes, I know no team has repeated since Duke in the 91-92 season), but found myself writing a different name in my bracket...Tennessee! That's right-I'm riding the five seed Tennessee all the way to the top! My theory you ask? Well, first their color is Orange, and I love orange teams. I myself was an orange and black team in high school (Go Machias Bulldogs). Next, Peyton Manning went to Tennessee and he had a pretty good year. I'm hoping the luck continues for the school. Finally, I picked Tennessee because their mascot is the Volunteer. How can you not like the Volunteers? It is the greatest mascot ever simply for the randomness of it! I work with volunteers every day, so it's time to put my bracket where my mouth is and back the Volunteers. Go Orange!

Okay-I stink. I haven't done the Disney recap for anyone yet--here is a quick go at it!

We had an absolute ball! The weather was great-upper 80’s the first few days then in the low 70’s. Not sweating and not freezing, so we were both happy. I got the slightest hint of color, but I wouldn’t call it a tan. Oh well, no vacation is perfect.

It was ESPN the Weekend, which most of you won't care about--but we thought was cool--so there were lots of athletes roaming around. We rode on Everest (9 times in one day) with Ben Rothlesburger of the Steelers twice and once with Trey Whingo who is an ESPN host. We went to a few Sports Center tapings and were on TV once. We got to meet lots of cool athletes and TV hosts. Richard Seymour was there doing a little talk one day, and I knew he would be, so brought my Seymour jersey in and wore it-he thought that was really cool. They weren’t really allowed to give autographs there-they put them in cars and drove them down the main street in the studios and took them right out-but he pointed me out a few times and waved while he was on stage and again while he was in the car in the “parade”. It was neat. I didn't get to see the taping of Mike and Mike, my favorite show that I get ready for work to every morning, but I did get a chance to see Greenie roaming around the park with his wife and kids. I've got a celeb radar-we could be standing on top of a famous person and Taylor wouldn't notice but I could spot them two attractions away!

The lines weren’t bad at all. The longest thing we waited for was Soarin’ and that was with a fast pass. They were redoing the floors in the normal fast pass line, so they were directing people back through the exit for fast pass. It was a nightmare. You missed the pre-show (which I love...Puddy!) and so the load/safety stuff all had to be done in the room and it took a lot of time. That said, we still road 3 times!

We did the dining plan and would highly recommend it (especially for Emilie--we said that while we were eating every single table service meal- Em would just love it!). We ate our last night at the California Grill on top of the Contemporary. We had late reservations and asked to wait for a window table. We were right on the corner overlooking the Magic Kingdom. We had the best seat in the house! We saw Wishes from up there as well as the fireworks for the Princess and Pirates special event that was taking place. They dim the lights and pipe in the music-it was unreal. We also at in Morocco, at the Kona Café in the Polynesian (yumm-o!) and at Boma in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Boma was good, but the cool part is after the meal we went out to where they have a pen of animals and watched them thought the night vision glasses. It was feeding time, so they were all out roaming around and we got a real fun view of everything.

The other new stuff for us (besides Everest-which is awesome) were the two Nemo events. The new Nemo show in Animal Kingdom was neat-it is puppets, kind of. The other was the new clamshell ride into the Living Seas (which is now The Seas with Nemo). That was a fun little ride too. Taylor made me ride it about 5 times-I guess he really used to like the sea cabs that were there, so he wanted to fully check out the clamshells.

Oh, and we got a dream! We were in the Animal Kingdom in the afternoon about to go on Tough to be a Bug when they herded together a group of us in the line and gave us an extra hour in the park once it had closed. There were maybe 1000 people left in the park, so you could just walk onto rides. It was neat, but we got stuck on Primeval Whirl (which is still one of my favorite rides) for about 30 minutes and missed most of the “magic”, but it was fun to say we had a dream!

We had a little drama our last day there with our house—the realtor called and said our door was wide open and she thought we might have been robbed-but we were only concerned that our cats got out. It definitely took us out of the moment and ruined our last day, but we weren’t going into the parks anyway, and were able to go to Downtown Disney and pick up the few gifts we needed to get for folks (and eat at yummy Earl of Sandwich). It turned out we weren’t robbed and that we just had a silly agent who couldn’t close a door, so it was all fine, but we were ready to come home and check on our kids.

What else...I got some guy really angry at me in the line for the Tiki Room. It was really one of the highlights of the trip because he was just steaming angry because we didn't walk all the way up to the front of the queue and then looked like a jackass when the little show happened by the waterfall that you can't see from the top of the queue. It sounds dumb when I write it down, but it was funny at the time. We called him Grumpy for the rest of the trip. It cracked me up!

Oh! We went to a soft opening of the Laugh Floor in the Magic Kingdom. It a show based on Monsters Inc. It still needs some work but was cute and it was cool to go to a soft opening of something. It is a show similar to Turtle Talk where there is some audience interaction with the animated characters. The kids eat that up!

Taylor was really happy because it was warm enough to go on Splash Mountain, which is his favorite ride. I of course got far more wet than he did, but it wasn't that cold. Speaking of getting wet, Taylor also volunteered us to be in the show on the backlot tour. We were the two deck hands who get shot at. Again, I somehow managed to get far more wet than he did and walked around the park for an hour looking like I was lactating! I wasn't impressed, but we got an adorable picture, so it was worth it I guess.

It was a great trip. It had been long enough since our last one (almost 2 years) that there were new things to see and do and that we didn’t remember every single detail of every ride. I’m glad we went, even spur of the moment. It wasn't our normal method of planning for months, but the whirlwind nature of the trip added to the fun. We really enjoyed every moment and already can't wait to go back! I'll put my pictures up on ophoto this weekend for anyone who is interested.

We're back!

We had an awesome time. It was sunny and warm the first few days, then cooler but still nice. We only had one of those famous Florida rain storms the whole trip and we even escaped most of that by hopping into a ride. No lines, no waiting. Great food, great company, a great time.

I'm super bummed to be home, but was glad to kiss my babies last night. More later-just a fast hello for now! Missed you all!

Thinking magical thoughts...thinking magical thoughts...please let us not have screwed up our vacation plans...I've already cried twice this morning and it is only 9:30...please let the AAA gods and Mickey work together to let me into the Magic Kingdom in the morning...oh pretty please...I hate being on hold!

my favorite game this week has been where will I be next week at this time. In case you're wondering, I'll be getting ready for my fun dinner at California Grill. We're going during the fireworks, so they will turn down the lights and pipe in the music. I can't wait!!!!!!!! Sign me up for the express monorail!

If you're a fan of The Office, you recently enjoyed the wedding of Phyllis and Bob Vance of Vance Refrigeration. If you're a fan of Talladega Nights, you recently enjoyed watching Will Farrell pray to Baby Jesus, as that is his favorite Jesus. If you were with me on Saturday at the wedding of Max and Tori, you almost cracked up at two very inappropriate times!

On The Office, Michael Scott gave a toast at Phyllis's wedding and quoted the Princess Bride with the strange pronunciation of the word "marriage". It was funny. It was less funny that every time the priest said the word marriage in the wedding ceremony, I could hear Michael Scott's voice in my head. I was biting my lip not to laugh.

Next, one of the bride's brother's decided to give a grace at the wedding (well into the first course by the way, not cool). He kept saying the phrase Dear Jesus over and over--about 25 times in a two minutes talk. Thank goodness I was in the back of the room, because I had my head down with my shoulders shaking with silent laughter. It was too much for me to take. As I read this, it isn't really all that funny on paper, but it was crazy funny in real life! All of this was before I had a drink too (as was my little tumble down a set of stairs), so it wasn't even just drunk girl things everything is funny funny. Oh well!

The house was shown three more times this weekend. My poor little girls-they are very high stress at this point-never knowing who is coming in. I wish we could take them out each time like you do with a dog, but you just don't do that with baby kittens. Good luck to them while we're away.

WDW hear we come! ADR's are made and we'll be eating at California Grill, Marachashe, Liberty Tree, and Boma. I'm dying to have a zebra dome-I hear they are all the rage. Nothing say fun like time in the parks!

long post yesterday about fat tuesday, peanut butter, my boys weekend, and the house. unfortunately, technology hates me lately and my computer literally shut itself down as I was posting. So instead today I'll say a quick hello and promise to write more later. I'm swamped at work right now and we're doing presidential interviews and I'm trying to get everything put to bed before vacation. I miss you all and promise to write more soon!

In an effort to find a picture of our stream, I went onto our old wedding website this morning and while there read my original daily rant. Alexander says I was much more fun when I was stressed out. He is right, it must have been fun to slowly watch me unspool. Lucky for him, now that the house is listed you can expect more stress! Get ready to laugh at me.

The first showing of our house is tonight. Let's hope the cats don't do anything particularly destructive or disgusting between now and 4:30. Early this morning--around 2:30--Gracie decided she was hungry, so she climbed onto the counter, opened the cupboard, and took down (from the top shelf that I need a stool to reach) Taylor's giant box of Jelly Belly's. Luckily, I don't really sleep anymore, so I heard it hit the floor and I was able to get to it and take it (and scold her) before she had a chance to eat through the box and get 40 flavors spread across my house. What a mess that would have been! I can't imagine waking up to that, and I can't imagine how on earth that box fell from the third shelf and landed upside-down and closed, but the jelly bean fairy must like me and gave me a bit of a break.

Ross's welcome back from the sandbox party is tomorrow and Alexander is coming for the weekend to get out of Emilie's hair so she can study. Looks like it is just Heather and the boys this weekend since Pam is still in NJ with her mom. It's been years since it was just the me and the boys. I'll have to brush up on "man talk" between now and the morning!

Thank you to the snow gods!!!!!!!! I'm home today enjoying my first snow day of the year. Taylor went into the office, against my recommendation, and called to say the roads are pretty terrible. I'm happy to be home!

We listed our house last night. The MLS listing isn't up yet, but should probably be up later today. I won't list the link here, but if you are interested, I'll email you personally so you can check it out. I'm scared out of my mind. God forbid the house sells, we've got no where to go. And God forbid that we don't sell the house, how can we stay here forever? I know it will be fine, I just don't expect to sleet all that well for the next few months.

Oh! Snow day treat! Dawson's Creek is doing a documentary on Witch Island--a take off of Blair Witch. I hated that movie. I saw it in the theater, though I don't remember with who or why we saw it. The chick's name in the movie was Heather, and they screamed it for hours. It was so annoying. Hopefully Dawson's will be better.

My day, though a bonus day, will be about packing and cleaning. Shocking I know! Upstairs is really empty and clean. I've got about one more box to come out of the bedroom and maybe another from the kitchen cabinets. I really need to spend some more time in the basement. It is all but done, unfortunately all the stuff that isn't packed is thrown in the middle of the room, so I have to get that all wrapped up before the good folks decide to come tour the house.

have to stop writing now...lizzy has decided to lay across the keyboard! later folks!

I gave hugs and squeezes to my friend Ross today! His plane came in at 11:00 into Providence and I had the honor of joining his family for this special moment. He looks really good-he's definitly lost weight and bulked up. Ladies, if you're single and looking, I've got the guy for you! Welcome Home Ross--we truly missed you!

Ross is out of Baghdad! He is in America's airport (Kuwait) and will back in the states on Sunday. Everyone take a collective sigh (though small because he isn't home yet) of relief!

Another Monday morning...another episode of what fun painting projects did Heather and Taylor do this weekend! Well, since I know you're just dying to know, I'll put an end to the suspense! This weekend we, painted my closet doors and put new pulls on, polished the hardwoods in the spare bedroom, painted the heater grates to most of the rooms in the house, cleaned up the basement, painted part of the basement, and put in a new bathroom floor. Most of this was done on Sunday, as Saturday we spent time shopping for the supplies for the above projects as well as other touches of "home" for the purpose of staging. We had to go to three stores before we found a welcome mat that actually says "Welcome". We also bought a fun dry erase board (yes, we feel like we are in college) for a message board by the phone in the kitchen to cover up some yuck the woman before us left on the walls. A lovely arrangement of Ivy was purchased to draw your eye to the top of the fridge in the kitchen, some colored blankets to give warmth to the bedroom, a rug to go in the spare bedroom, and a lamp for the bedroom. I am one of the only people on the planet that looks forward to Monday to get away from the house! Still, we finally sat down together during half time of the Super Bowl last night and agree that we think we beat the house in the battle this weekend. Taylor is the MVP (which is happening in his life a lot lately) because he spent the better part of the day putting in the bathroom floor, which meant figuring out all the cuts for behind the triangle toilet. The house had a good shot at beating us this time, but we were victorious!

All that said, I'm sleepy! Tonight, it is back to the basement for some time. I'm scrubbing the floors and the shelves so we can pack all the boxes we've packed tightly into one area, while making the other look like a place we hang out. Now, we don't really hang out in our basement (thought I do love to do laundry), but it will sure look like it is the place to be when all is said and done. I think it will be a short night of work though, because my hands are covered in little cuts and are so dry from being washed constantly that they sting! Plus, 24 is on tonight, so I know I'll lose Taylor early.

I worked Saturday night for a few hours and missed book club. I'm really bummed out, because not only did I miss my few hours of girl time a month, I missed meeting Meg's new baby and having a chance to love and squeeze him. Stupid work! Stupid Basketball Alumni messing with my schedule!

Ross will be home in a week!!!!!!

Someone pooped in Taylor's pants last night...

I'm having an unproductive day at the office. I won't lie, it feels pretty good! I had a long lunch with a friend off campus (it was so good)! It was nice to have a conversation with someone who knows me well and who I can speak to candidly without the worry that they will think I'm a freak! I've done some personal business from my office, and I've really just taken my time on the projects I'm working on. It isn't a bad day, but I'm sleepy from working last night until almost 9:00 and I'm a little cranky with some of the people I work with, but all told, it isn't a bad day. I got three of my favorite pens and some dry erase markers that I ordered, so I'll have some fun organizing later this afternoon. I know, I'm a wild woman!

Anyone who wants to come on my Italy trip this summer is welcome to come. The dates are June 23-July1 and the trip is to Rome. It should be an awesome time. Anyone who is interested in learning more, give my a call!

I miss my friends today. It seems like everyone is so far away and that we aren't lucky enough to see each other as much as we should. I still love you all, just wish you were closer right now and that we could meet for an hour for a glass of wine and silly chats. Wherever you are tonight, have a sip of wine for me and think of a fun memory of being together!

Rest in Peace Barbaro! I'm such a girl, I just got teary when I heard he had to be put down. He fought for over a year with the promise of roaming the pastures, eating oats, and having lots of sex. If he could have just survived this injury, he had a chance at the good life. May horsey heaven be just as great.

I just finished a really good book and I want to put it out there to all of my friends who are readers. It is called The Perfect Age and was written by Heather Skylar. It follows a girl and her family through three consecutive summers. It is hard to explain, but I really liked it and devoured it-finished it in a few days, which given the house blitz, is really fast for now. If you do read this, please let me know, because I would love to chat about it!

Weekend was just another on the road of pushing forward towards the great house sale 2007. This weekend's installment of this damn house included more painting! Last weekend we painted over our bright blue bedroom with the stimulating color "pale sand 2" (in honor of our desert friend Ross). This weekend, we touched up the bedroom and finally cleaned up the mess Alex, Amy, Taylor and I made of the living room four years ago. I actually found a spot in the hallway where we gave up on the wallpaper and just painted over it! Classy, real classy. In addition to all the touch up, we painted the back door, so the last thing you see when you leave the house is bright and fresh looking and painted the window frame in the bay window in the living room. This was harder than anticipated, because there is so much detail on the woodwork. Still, Saturday was a complete success. I'm so tired of painting, but short of some stuff in the bedroom, we are done with that silly task I think.

Sunday we met with an agent on the Worcester side of things, to start looking at houses out here. I'm fearful my sweet Taylor is going to want to build...we shall see.

After that, we worked. I had my first event at AMC and I would say that based on all accounts it went very well. We used a whole little helium tank, so that is sure fire way to know something was successful. Balloons equal success in my little world.

I would like to take a moment to publicly thank my sweet husband Taylor for all his hard work this weekend. In addition to being a trooper at the house and keeping me sane when I just wanted to dump the paint down the drain, he was an all-star at my work event. I didn't end up having the level of support I'm used to in running this event, but Taylor really stepped it up. He managed the book signing, handled half of the check in process, carried boxes, blew up balloons, and even had dinner with the speaker so I could attend to small details. It was so nice to have him in the room and know that no matter what else was going on, anything I asked Taylor to do would be done with grace and ease. Taylor understands that when I plan an event, I expect it to be flawless, and he did everything humanly possible to make sure that it was in fact free of error. All he got out of this was a happy wife and a free dining hall Italian Dinner. Thank you Taylor. I love you very much and appreciate all of your help. I'm a very lucky woman and I wanted you to know that I really couldn't have done it without you, and I'm happy I'll never have to try!

About once every decade I get on a huge Muppet's kick. The Muppet's are cool. Really really cool. Remember watching the Muppet show on Sunday nights as a kid? It was like Saturday Night Live for kids! Guest stars, musical guests, adult humor hidden in the middle of kids skits. It was the greatest. As a kid, I loved Piggy. I love them all, but I really liked Piggy, and by extention, Kermit. I had two different sets of Muppet's sheets for my bed. One was just Kermit playing the banjo. The other had Piggy in a variety of show costumes all over it. I loved them. I think my mom still has them for the twin bed we have, because she once tried to get rid of them and freaked out on her. I can't wait to have a five year old so I can teach him or her all about the Muppet's and they too can enjoy the Kermit sheets!

As you have guessed, I'm entering my Muppet's phase right now. I'm desperate to go to WDW and go see Muppet's 3D where Sam the Eagle puts on a Tribute to many nations, but mostly America and we see the live action Swedish Chef with his cannon. It is one of my favorite attractions. There is a sign that tells you to enter the theater, there is a key under the mat. Next time you're there, check it out-there really is a key under the mat! I love attention to detail!

Right now, I'm listening to my Muppet's 25th Anniversary CD and really thinking it is amazing how Rolf the dog can play the piano so well when he doesn't have a thumb. Dogs don't have thumbs, but he goes to town. What skill!

I'm adding the first two movies to our Netflix cue. We own the Muppet's Take Manhattan. I desperately need a marathon and I encourage you to do the same on this cold winters evening!

I am tired. Deep, bone weary tired. Painting this weekend was exhausting, even though it isn't a ton of physical work. We we up super late and slept two nights on our disgustingly uncomfortable futon. I can't believe all these years that no one told us how miserable this thing is! Even with the fluffy feather bed, it was a nightmare. Neither of of slept really all weekend and now we are paying the price. I'm wearing my glasses today, so you know I'm beat!

I finished my book for bookclub. We just read the Memory Keepers Daughter. It was okay, but it kind of felt like the author didn't know how to end it, so just stopped writing. I hate a good book with a crappy ending. I went to the library last night and picked up a great book (so far) called The Perfect Age, which follows a mother and daughter through their lives through three different summers. It is interesting at the very least.

I have my first AMC program this weekend. It is an Italian Evening, with a book talk, a demo on my alumni trip to Italy this summer, and some little brownie's coming to sing a song in Italian. Dinner follows and should be good. Not my idea of a fun program, but it is designed for the senior set, and lord knows they love an all you can eat buffet! I hope it goes well.

I am not having a great week at work. I've been in meetings non-stop this week and last and I'm not really getting any work done. Plus, I'm so tired that it is hard to get motivated while I'm not in a meeting, so I end up doing silly things, like blogging. I hope you all are enjoying my procrastination.

Ross comes home in a few weeks. He will be home in under a month now! I couldn't be more excited, and not just so he can help carry boxes when we move. I started my blog in his honor, but I'm not actually sure that he reads it anymore. I think I'll keep writing anyway. I keep myself amused, and I have few readers, but they are loyal!

Time to make some coffee (don't worry-it is decaf! I'm still off the juice), get warmed up and get back to work!

Well, at least it wasn't on a Vinatieri kick.

It was a good game. The season went farther than it probably had any business going. Brady is unbelievably good, and he made due with no decent wide receivers (Troy Brown aside) for the whole year. The man can't throw the ball to himself. There is still no quarterback I would rather see inside of two minutes. It was a good ride. I wish it didn't end in a loss, and I really wish it didn't end with an interception, but they will rebuild and they will be back. It's going to be interesting to see which of the old guys (Brown, Bruschi, Harrison, Sauo...) retires.

But seriously, thank god it didn't come down to a field goal. That's how you get to sleep at night, thankful that it didn't end on a stupid kick.

Okay-I know the Colts beat the Patriots early this year. I watched the game, it hurt. But all week I've been watching coverage getting ready for the AFC Championship game, and it wasn't until we were having breakfast watching NFL Matchup this morning that I remembered why we lost...Belichick wore a Red Sweatshirt! See, we've got nothing to worry about today! Bill's going to wear his "BB" torn up gray sweatshirt and all will be right in the world.

The Patriots are a ritualistic team. I'm a ritualistic fan. I've got my clothing rules, my jersey rules, and even lately my food rules. As long as Bill gets back into his own ritual of looking like a total slob, everything will be fine. For the first time this week, I feel completely confident in the game. I can stop watching coverage and get to putting a coat of Pale Sand on the walls.

No posting this weekend. Going in a few minutes to pick out a nice boring paint color, like sand, to paint the bedroom. Tomorrow we prime and paint at least one coat. Sunday we do a second coat and clean up. Sunday afternoon we move into football mode. I encourage you to do the same!

Our mantra for the weekend is as follows "No fourth quarter game winning kicks". Please adopt this as your own and repeat it often. GO PATRIOTS!

Oprah was pregnant at 14! She had a baby that died at 14! What an unoprah thing to have happen.

the best episode of Seinfield ever is when George sings on his answering machine. What a fun episode to catch on a random day!

PB & J on an english muffin for dinner. Getting ready to pour myself a little drink, take a bath, read my large print book, watch Grey's and off to bed! What a perfect snowy night. Can you all please pray for snow! Do the dance, whatever it takes--help me make it snow!

It's snowing in New England! Who would have thought January would have been the first time. I hate winter, and really don't need snow at all, but even I'll admit it is beautiful when it is first falling. Now in an hour when I have to drive home, it will look dreadful, but on a nice Tuesday afternoon, I'll bite on that whole Currier and Ives fresh white snow image.

Holy Crap! Addison from Grey's is all sorts of pregnant!

Okay, Taylor's home, gotta fly!

Okay...Tony Parker is playing tonight in Chicago. That's a good reason for him not to be there.

Oh God, Jessica Biel and Eva Longoria are talking about how hot the other is and how much they would like to look like the other. I'm fat! Why do the skinny girls have to talk about the hot factor of the other?

I went 3-1 this weekend in my football picks. I should have picked NO, but it happens...

Now to the Golden Globes...I'm voting live right now on the red carpet. Why did Sheryl Crow have that silly flower on her dress? Great color, bad flower.

McSteamy is on right now. I think it is hard to rate the men, unless they are a huge mistake. But, McSteamy looks good as always. I can't believe he is with the the Noxema Girl.

Now the stupid girl from Ugly Betty is on. I have nothing against her personally, but the show seems stupid to me. Plus, I hate the Vanessa Williams character...she is so Cruella DeVille...And I just found out her name is America. Are you kidding me?

Eva looks good. No Tony Parker. If I was engaged to Tony, he would be on my arm constantly.

So far, I like the short dresses and peek-a-boo toe shoes. JLD looked cute in her gold and even Tina Fay was nice with her black lace.

See, this was my fear...everyone is giving America, "Ugly Betty", high marks. It is the character that is ugly! She looks cute, but she isn't top four at the Golden Globes cute. Stupid people bug me.

Have to check on dinner, maybe more later. There is just something missing without the West Wing to get excited for. My heart is breaking just a little.

CONGRATULATIONS ALEX AND CARRIE!
We're so happy for you both. Can't wait to celebrate with you this fall.
Here's to another Johnson passing off that silly name!

Heather's Football Picks for the weekend.
So...yes, I'm taking New England over San Diego (but I do really love walking around singing San Diego Super Chargers in this little jingle I've made up...and they have great powder blue throwbacks...). I think it might be tough, but they can win this game. Plus, LT shut both Taylor and I down in the Puffy Hand league, so I want to see New England put him in his place.

I'm taking Indy over Baltimore. This is just a pick of like. I like Indy. I like Peyton. I hate Ray Lewis. Nothing more really. I think it will be a great game to watch, offense versus defense in the truest sense. Go Blue!

Moving to the NFC, I'm taking Chicago over Seattle. I would rather take Seattle because I like them, but I think this is Chicago's year. Sorry Hassleback!

Finally, I pick Philly over New Orleans. Garcia is too good right now and Westbrook is just nasty. They're going to run all over them.

Hope you enjoy!

Reasons to be happy today...

• Finally a new Grey's Anatomy tonight
• Two days from the playoffs (Heather's playoff picks later...)
• I've been at work for one hour and the phone hasn't rung yet!
• Meeting with Realtors this weekend to get our sweet house on the market
• Jenny's on the East Coast!
• Good week for the phone-caught up with Jen, Krissy, Alex, and more!
• If I were at Assumption right now, I would be going into a President's Council Prospecting meeting, and instead I'm looking at menus
• Day four off caffeine and no headache!
• IT'S ALMOST THE WEEKEND!

Hope you're happy too!

Today we mourn the loss of a great NFL player. Tiki Barber, know we will always love you. In honor of your strength of character, heart, and mind, we will be naming our first born, Tiki Mac. May your broadcasting career be long and prosperous.

My favorite thing about New Year’s is the year end countdowns. There is a top 10 list for everything, from top music videos, to top hotties, to best plays, to top names of the year. In keeping with the top whatever tradition, I’ve decided to do a top things from 2006 list. Now these aren’t in any particular order. Ross and I discussed this over the weekend and think the best thing to do is go through the months and pick a favorite event. This list will be roughly based on the Guida School of Blogging... in a truly random Heather order. Hope you enjoy!

• Christmas in Maine! Mom’s home cooking, pancakes for breakfast (the only acceptable breakfast for the day), the Merry Merry Christmas parade “live” from Disney, a visit from two good high school friends, not being sick for the first time in years…and home for the holiday for the first time in 5 years…what could be better!
• Two Master’s Degrees! While we only celebrated one graduation, Taylor and I both successfully completed years of school with matching MBA’s. Well…technically mine is bigger… Surviving May/June and those last six weeks is an event to be proud of. Class four nights a week, breaking $1 in the Annual Fund, planning a successful golf tournament…and staying married to boot!
• Two New Jobs! Putting those fancy new pieces of paper to work, we both scored new jobs and big promotions in the late fall. We’re both still feeling them out, but either way it was a good decision for team MacFarlane
• Floating down the river in a tube! Ross, Taylor and I took a vacation day in the middle of the week to simply float down the river in a tube. While it takes the average person about 90 minutes, the three of us found a way to make a day of this, by hanging out on tree branches, wrapping ourselves around logs, and getting propped up on rocks. The bruises were worth it, it was an incredible day. Cruising around in the Guida-mobile with the top down and tunes blaring (Jack Johnson always takes me back to summer now) rounded out the perfect summer day and gave us a chance to spend some great time with Ross before he left for six months. That day was a blessing for us all and is one of my favorite days of summer!
• No Weddings! Okay, so there were a few, but on the heels of 8 in six months, and with the way 2007 is looking, turns out 2006 was the break we needed. A few babies, but no showers, no bachelorette parties, no drama! Looking forward to getting back on the baby/bridal bandwagon in 2007. February in CT can’t come soon enough!
• Finally beating the January Cold! Christmas 2005 was like being in a hospital ward! Everyone got horribly sick in Taylor’s family. Pam even left dinner early. I spent a good hour in CVS on Christmas day buying supplies for all the sickies only to fall pray to the dreaded illness the following day at the family holiday party. This cold stuck with me for about three full weeks, so my favorite January memory was finally being well enough to go out. Taylor bundled me up and took me the two miles to Chinese buffet. I required a two hour nap when we finally got home, but I made it out of the house and the road to recovery began. Beating the plague of 2005 was my first true victory of 2006!
• Beach Bumming with Krissy! Okay, so it was more like boat bumming, but it was an awesome week in July spent exclusively on the water! Fourth of July fireworks at the Vineyard, shopping, reading, 5:00 cocktail hour (who drinks champagne every day!), and most importantly, catching up with one of my best friends for a week was the perfect vacation. I’m counting the days until my next invitation to hang out on Lynley. She isn’t an Alden, but nothing is perfect!
  

2006 was a great year. Committed to seeing 2007 be a bigger and better year! I’m not sharing my one resolution with the group, but I do have plans that include moving in to a new house, hitting the Machias Blueberry Festival, Italy, the fabled girls weekend with Jeniffer and Kriselyn, new babies of great friends, cherished weddings of more great friends, and taking a vacation (hear that Taylor…WE ARE GOING ON VACATION IN 2007)! I hope all of your 2007’s are amazing too!

Belated congratulations to Jenny and team Altitude for winning the Puffy Hands fantasy football extravaganza! I couldn't be prouder baby! Girl Power and all that good stuff they taught us at Wheaton. Jen, you beat a heck of a field. And you can hold this over Taylor and Matty's heads forever! You've made be proud young grasshopper. Next time I see you, I'll buy you a Christmas Tree drink to celebrate!

How I love the change in my job...If I were still at Assumption today would be about opening the year end mail and checking for any stock transfers from the uber-rich who were trying to unload cash before tax-year end. Instead, right now I'm on hold with the Boston Red Sox (gag me) trying to buy tickets. Life is good!

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2007!

This is my 100th post. I've been dragging my feet in posting, because I felt like this post should be extra special. Sadly, I've choked...so instead of coming up with something creative I'll wish everyone a Happy Holiday (insert your favorite winter holiday here).

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

HAPPY CHANUKAH!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

and my personal favorite...HAPPY WINTER SOLCIST!

Playoff Sunday in the land of the Puffy Hands. Taylor already has a commanding lead over Dudek. I would need some sort of miracle to beat Altitude. To date, I've had three players play and Jenny has had one. I'm only beating her by 2 points. Things don't look good. Still, I'm happy that two of the league ladies made it to the playoffs. I'm not giving in yet Altitude--maybe Tomlinson will fall down in an off field accident involving a wiener dog and a lemon. What? It could happen!

Wrapping presents today and watching the game. Packing a box of stuff to take to the new office tomorrow to make it feel a little more like home, and considering starting baking palooza 2006!

Hope your day is awesome!

Hey Kids!

How are you all? What a long week it has been here. Taylor and I are just dreaming of the weekend at this point.

I'm finishing up at work tomorrow. My desk is cleaner than the day I moved in. I'm a piler--so having a clean desktop is pretty amazing for me. I'm not all that sure what I'm going to do for the next day or so, but I'm sure I'll find something. I have a "farewell" party this afternoon. That should be interesting at the very least. I know I'll be the butt of a more than a few jokes, but it should be in good humor, so that is fine. A volunteer brought me breakfast this morning, which I thought was incredibly sweet. It was also delicious, and I left the house without breakfast or lunch, so it was certainly a nice treat!

Taylor had a particularly rough night last night. Check in with him later for details. Mathew, you have to give me a play by play this weekend of what he said. I'm thinking "Holy Crap" just like the Taylor doll might have said.

We got two wedding invitations this week. We are up to 4 weddings in 2007. The record is still 2005 with 8 in six months, but it looks like 2007 could give it a run for the money! Good think I have a new simple black dress to get me through these fun times! I'm excepting a chunk of babies in 2007 too. One of the women in my book club just had twin boys-Benjamin and Noah. Congrats to Caron!

I'm exhausted today. I got virtually no sleep last night. My office is so plain and quiet right now, I bet I could drift right off...

I'm nearing post 100...I'll have to do something special to commemorate.

Sorry I haven't posted much lately. I've been transitioning from Assumption to Anna Maria. I spent two days working there last week, which was interesting. It was actually kind of good, because it allowed me to get the nerves out of the way As I get ready to go in for my real start day on Monday I'm just excited-not scared. That said, I'm terribly upset at leaving AC. I'm doing much better than I anticipated. My VP threw a nutty last week, so I'm remembering why I want to go, which has made it far easier. Oh well-either way, the decision is made and now I just live with it.

Sneaking out a few minutes early today. I need to make dinner for my favorite birthday boy/ I'm thinking meatloaf right now-which I don't like, but he loves. We shall see how motivated I am by time I get home.

On a Christmas roll. Lots of my cards are out and I picked up more last night. I've got all but one package out in the mail and that should go out in the morning. I've started my wrapping and have most of my shopping complete--all without going to the mall. I'm a proud woman! I've even got a few ounces of spirit! Candles glow happily in our windows and Christmas Carols are required in my car at all times. Ho-Ho-Ho to you!

Happy Birthday Taylor!
Happy Birthday Alexander!
Happy Birthday Golic!

where are my readers? where are my com mentors? were you offended that I made fun of the mis-matched girl? I promise you it wasn't you. She isn't a reader!

Notes on my life...

Well, I spent my first two days at my new job. It was great. It was tough at first, but I've decided that I like it overall. I'm working hard already-lots of good events coming up. I might go to Italy in July, so that is a win. It seems like all the people I work with are great. All women-which will be interesting, but still great. There aren't a ton of young people in my office, but the coordinator for the department is actually younger than I am, so it is cool to have someone who speaks my language.

I'm back at Assumption for the rest of this week and next. I'm just wrapping up some stuff there and saying goodbye to all of my students, parents, and volunteers. It is really tough to say goodbye after six years, but the VP in my department is really making it easy for me.

Think Taylor noticed that I'm home...doesn't seem like it...

Ross is a Navy Fan
Grace is a UCLA Fan
It is a good day for both :)

Holy Moly! Betty White is on the Bold and the Beautiful too! She plays the mom from the Wonder Years Mom!

Oh mu god... the mom from the Wonder Years is on the Bold and the Beautiful! How sad...

Have I mentioned that I love all of the "I love the..." on VH1. Right now it is I love the 90's, 1992. This is old school. They are talking about Amy Fisher right now--which my friend Jodi and I used to love. I remember in high school when we made the Amy Fisher Memorial Bridge out of toothpicks in Science class. Ironically, we loved our science teacher that year...he must have though we were freaks!!!!!!!!!